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Month: October 2017

If you intend to keep Koi fish in your home, you must be acquainted first with the basic knowledge and know-how with regards to their existence. Buying Koi fish is not a decision to rush about. You surely do not want to regret buying and keeping them in the next years to come. Koi fish, the Japanese-bred carp which mainly functions as an ornament, are major attractions to home keepers and pet lovers due to their immense beauty and coloring. The Koi fish can live for a span of twenty years or more in as much as three feet or so.

Most people are attracted to come up with a collection of Koi fish. The most beautiful sorts of Koi fish can cost up to half a million dollars. They can likewise be purchased from both private or public sources and whether by amateur or professional Koi fish collectors. A pond set up for a collection of Koi fish cannot be completed at once with just a wink of an eye. It takes time to gather up enough number of Koi fish species to be bred. Coming up with a Koi fish collection is surely an investment that accounts to sufficient money, heartache, and time devotions.

What do you expect from buying Koi fish? Why do you want to buy Koi fish? First and foremost, you must decide on your own personal taste when it comes to the breed of Koi fish you want to buy. When intending to buy Koi fish, look into and decide on the matters such as the class, quality, price bracket, and the source from where you will get the Koi fish. How much is your budget? Will it suffice to buy Koi fish? Remember also that you must have enough funds to sustain their maintenance such as their food and medications when diseases strike them.

What must you remember when buying Koi fish?

First, dwell into the readings pertaining to Koi fish, how they behave and live, and what amount of care is needed for them. You can consult several sources, clubs, and websites from the internet. You may also get in touch with Koi fish specialists. Another great point is to consider the filtration system that you will need to keep them healthy.

Be ready with the pond before buying the Koi fish. The water must be filtered and must contain 18 inches of water level. In most cases, the Koi fish survive most in deep-set water levels. Moving water can aid in oxygenating the water. Ensure that there is enough space for the Koi fish to stay in quiet corners.

Buy healthy Koi fish. Get those with clear eyes, without any missing scales, and with erect fins.

Take note that the Koi fish’s price range depends on their sizes, color pattern, shape, and availability.

If possible, shop for Koi fish during the cool weather. It will be easier to transport them since their metabolism speed slows down during the wintertime.

Koi fish must be fed with pellets either once or twice in a day. The pellets are sold in most pet and fish shops locally or through online dealership.

Provide the ponds with some hiding places so that the Koi fish will be safe against predators. It will be best to secure a pond cover.

Bear these things in mind and you will surely enjoy buying and collecting Koi fish of all sorts!…

Breeding Koi fish is very enthralling but can also be difficult sometimes. It is because Koi grows up large and also because you have to find good parent in order to spawn superb Koi offspring. In case you aren’t familiar with Kois, they are colorful fishes belonging to the carp family that were initially bred more than 200 years ago in Japan.

If you are among those individuals who want to breed Koi, the ideal months to start it is between April and July. These months are said to be the perfect time for mating.

Here are several other important aspects that need to know to get started.

· Quality of your Koi. In your aim to breed Koi, the first thing to consider is the quality of fish. Kois that are suitable and high quality will surely spawn good quality offspring. Hence, you need to select the parents that will give you Koi fishes that match your pattern and coloration preferences. It is advisable to maintain the cleanliness of the bloodlines of your Koi in order for them to make first-rate Koi fish.

· Age of the Fish. The age of your Koi also needs to be considered. Those that are young or old enough may not easily breed. Their age also influences the eggshells’ quality. The young females usually spawn thin shells, which may hardly survive while older females can give off hard shells wherein sperm can’t make a way into. The ideal age for a Koi to breed is 4-5 years.

· Fish Conditioning. Once you already have Koi males and females for the breeding activity, you need to condition them for a year. Your tank or spawn pond should contain two males for every female Koi. Male Koi will usually chase the females or rub the side of the female’s body using their heads. Through this, females will be inspired to spawn.

· Preparing the Location. There are various things that Koi needs in order to breed. These are:

Medium or a Place where they can lay their eggs – Medium for Koi breeding can be branches of evergreen that are tied together and perched. They can also lay their eggs on the grass, which is usually found in the bottom of the pond. The media can also be artificial such as PVC pipe having nylon rope that’s fastened and frayed.

Privacy – The fry typically needs a place where they can hang out after being hatched. Since they aren’t capable of swimming yet, they have to be placed in a secure and safe area.

Water Quality and Right Pond Temperature – aside from good quality of water, the breeding pond should have oxygen and proper aeration. After spawning, water in the pond should be replaced.

Eggs. The eggs of Koi are very sticky so they will adhere well. If the eggs develop like a fungus substance, there’s nothing to worry about. That could also contain lots of eggs. Good-quality eggs are usually translucent while the unfertilized eggs are white. The eggs should be separated from the parents because together with the fry, they can be eaten up.

The Fry. After hatching, let 3-4 days pass without feeding them. After this period, they should be exposed to a very good source of food. The ideal temperature for growing fry is 70-75 degrees. During the first month, you should start culling.

Koi breeding and raising can be a whole lot of fun, but you need to understand the basics if you want to be successful.…

Many people for different reasons keep Koi fish. For those who do not yet know, Koi fishes are those types of fish which you can usually find swimming in the pools of Japanese gardens.

Actually the word “Koi” actually means carp in Japanese. This is because of the fact that Koi fish is actually a variety of carp. Yes, despite the vivid colors, Kois are carp. These hardy fish is often kept for ornamental purposes.

The history of Koi fish actually comes from the Nigata Prefecture of 19th century Japan. The farmers who tend to the rice notice the brilliant colors of the Koi fish and would capture them and breed them.

The different varieties were eventually established and catalogued and the outside world gained the first glimpse of Koi fish keeping during the 1914 exhibition. After that, Japan exploded with a frenzy to collect Koi. People soon spread Koi fish keeping throughout the rest of the world after plastic bag became available, making the transportation of Koi fish safer and faster.

What do you need to take care of Koi fish? Well, you know that the essential is water. However, do you know much else about Koi fish?

Here are some things most people do not know about taking care of Koi fish:

1) Koi fish needs to be fed fresh fruit – You see, Koi fish is omnivorous. This means that they pretty much eat anything edible. Many manufactured Koi feed do contain vitamins and minerals. However, these minerals tend to break down after a few months. By feeding Koi fish fresh fruits, you will be able to ensure that they get their needed nutrients. Here are some fruits that you can feed your Koi:

a) Oranges and lemons – This two fruits are great sources of vitamin c. In order to feed your Koi these citrus fruits, you need to halve or quarter them and drop them directly into the pond. The Koi fish will usually crowd around the fruit, allowing each fish an opportunity to eat of the pulp. Amazing how such simple creatures cooperate, right?

Oh, and you need to take out the skin of the fruit after the Koi fish is done eating. They only eat what you can eat, remember that.

b) Watermelons – You need to slice watermelons into small pieces, remove the seeds and then drop these directly into the pond.

2) Other feeding tips –There are certain methods which Koi fish keepers use in feeding their pets. Here are some things you might want to consider: a) Season – The season of the year often determines how much you need to feed your Koi and what type of food to use. You can easily research this information on the internet.

b) Pond and filter size – Of course, you need to consider this in order to determine how much to feed your Koi fish. You see, the more they eat, the more waste they produce. It’s a standard rule, right?

c) Growth rate – The growth rate of the Koi fish is interrelated with its growth rate. Koi fish which is fed 2-3 times everyday often grows slower. Those which are fed 3-5 times a day grow rapidly, reaching the maximum size in a short time. So you see, you can actually customize the size of your Koi fish.…

Different drawings have different meanings. We all know the power of symbolism and the way it has transformed our world countless of times. Take a look back at history and see how many different images have caused empires to rise and fall. Take a look at how symbols have made slaves out of kings and dictators out of beggars.

We are a culture bent on symbolism. What is the power that so changes a symbol and allows it to influence people in such a manner? Many people think that secret symbols hold power. However, when you study history, you will find out that runes did not hold power because they had unknown magical meanings, runes help power because they gave the impression of having magical meanings.

Power is given by a person to a symbol. Symbols mean what we want them to mean. Always remember that the power of a symbol depends upon the beholder. Think of the different symbols that have passed through time. Think of the swastika and how it used to represent progress and good fortune and how it is now interpreted as the symbol of evil. People give symbols power, and not the other way around.

As such, different animals symbolize different things. We have all heard of the sly fox, the wise owl, the ruthless tiger and other characteristics that are embodied by different animals. However, some animals are less known for their symbolic interpretations.

Take the Koi fish. The meaning of the Koi fish is quite unknown to many people. However, their interests are piqued when they encounter a Koi keeper or someone who has a Koi fish tattoo.

What is the meaning of Koi fish images? What hidden lessons can be grasped from such a simple creature? What do tattoos and drawings of Koi fish mean?

Well, Koi fish symbolize different traits. The meaning of Koi fish symbols that is most often used in interpretations is taken from Japanese symbology. As you may well know, the Japanese give different meanings to different animals. The Japanese base their interpretation of the meaning of Koi fish symbols on the characteristics and behavior of the fish itself.

The Japanese consider the Koi to be the most energetic of fishes. This is because it is constantly moving, often churning up water. In fact, some countries are trying to minimize the Koi population because of its tendency to mess up waterways by stirring up the substrate.

The Koi is also able to fight the current of the water and swim upstream. This can be interpreted in two ways:

1) Being a non-conformist – Koi swimming upstream can be interpreted as showing the philosophy of non-conformism because of the fact that the Koi does not “go with the flow”. This can mean a person is very independent minded and does not do things the way they are expected of him or her. Swimming upstream can mean that a person is not easily influenced by others and does what he or she wants.

2) Strength in time of adversity – Koi fish also symbolizes persistence and the willingness to go on even though you are being swept away. It also symbolizes surpassing expectations. The Koi fish swimming upriver can show that a person has overcome various obstacles and not only does he or she keep standing, but he or she has come out victorious.…

Having a Koi or goldfish pond or aquarium alone does not satisfy your needs as a serious Koi keeper. In order to be most effective you need to have filters installed in the Koi or goldfish pond or aquarium. The filters will make it easier for you to keep a clean environment for your fish. You see, without a proper filter for your Koi or goldfish pond, the fish will eventually die from the variety of wastes and toxins that they produce. Making sure you have the best aquarium filter possible will give your fish more life

The number of fish you are planning to keep determines the size of your pond. It also determines the number of filters you need. The number of fish determines the rate at which they produce waste. Because of this, you need to counteract the amount of waste they produce with the proper number of filters. Otherwise, waste could build up and your fish can die.

1. Biological filters – Biological filters actually work based on natural processes found in nature. The nitrogen cycle is the basis for the mechanism of this type of filter. Although a lot of other artificial filters available in the market today, having a biological filter can be quite cost effective. One of the main types of biological filters for your Koi or goldfish pond or aquarium is the rock filter.

The rock filter consists mainly of an air pump and some rocks on which bacteria grow. These bacteria clean out the water by removing harmful chemicals.

2. Mechanical filter – The mechanical filter cleans your Koi or goldfish pond or aquarium by taking solids out of it. There are three main types of mechanical filters:

Surface skimmer- This Koi or goldfish pond or aquarium filter works by sucking any solids at the surface of the pond. This gets rid of sticks, leaves or any other floating matter. A filter trap inside the mechanism needs to be cleaned regularly in order to ensure the proper working order of your filter.

Vortex Chamber – this is a sort of combination of the two other types of filter. A vortex chamber works by circulating the water so that it can be filtered in the bottom. This frees you Koi or goldfish pond or aquarium from any waste material.

3. Chemical filter – This is considered by many to be the most effective, albeit most expensive type of filtration for a Koi or goldfish pond or aquarium. It involves stripping the chemicals out of the water directly and halting the nitrogen cycle completely. Common types of chemical filtration are:

Activated carbon – Activated carbon works, by allowing water to pass through its porous surface. It then strips ammonia directly from the water by attracting the molecules. It is one of the most well known types of chemical filtration and is often used in filtering drinking water.

Zeolite – This is a substance that forms when alkaline water reacts with volcanic ash. This is a porous substance that takes ammonia from the water pretty much using the same method as activated carbon. It, however, is a much cheaper substitute, although it does need to be thrown out after use. If you are planning to keep your Koi or goldfish pond or aquarium for a long time, it probably is better to go with activated carbon.